Egypt’s goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shennawy has expressed disappointment after his injury which has effectively ruled him out of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
El-Shennawy was substituted in Egypt’s match against Mali after he suffered a hamstring injury that ruled him out for at least two weeks. Sherif Ekramy is currently injured as well which leaves El-Hadary as the only fit goalkeeper for Egypt.
“I felt the injury after I received a ball from the opposite direction from where I was standing. I was not able to endure the pain afterwards in addition to high temperature and humidity,” he told On Sport TV channel. “That’s why I decided to take the right choice and requested a substitution so my team doesn’t lose.”
“I feel down since I play in this tournament for the first time. I still have a lot to give and surely I will be back,” he added.
Zamalek requested the return of the 25-year-old goalkeeper to Cairo to receive the needed treatment.
“Unfortunately, even though I wish there was a possibility for requesting another player to replace me in the tournament, that is not possible. For now, I am getting the needed treatment in the training camp with the national team.”
Regarding Mali’s game and Egypt’s performance, El-Shennawy thinks that it nobody should expect the team to show 100% of their potentials in the first match of the group. “Let’s not forget that 19 players in the squad are in the AFCON for the first time in their football careers, in addition of course to the temperature and high levels of humidity and a very bad pitch.”
The 25-year-old sees Egypt has no other options in AFCON than beating Uganda and Ghana. “We’re going for the title, it is unacceptable to get knocked-out after the first round,” he concluded.